PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Senator Rosalind Kurita
Pamela George
Office: (615) 741-2374*Home: (931) 358-2005

May 11, 2001

Senator Kurita: 'Legislation promotes independent living for seniors'

Legislation aimed at helping seniors keep their independence longer
is moving forward in the General Assembly. Senator Rosalind Kurita
sponsored legislation that will allow seniors who develop minor medical
needs to continue to reside in assisted living homes instead of moving to
more expensive nursing home care.
"This is win-win legislation for seniors and their families for two
important reasons: independence and cost," Sen. Kurita said. "Under current
law, seniors could be moved from assisted living homes to institutional
nursing homes when even minor on-going medical procedures are needed. The
proposed legislation would change state regulations to allow some temporary
medical procedures to be performed by trained professionals in assisted
living homes. This enables seniors to keep the high level of independence
and privacy associated with the homelike atmosphere of assisted living."
Sen. Kurita said an added benefit is cost savings, because assisted
living care is less expensive than nursing home care.
Sen. Kurita said studies have shown that seniors prefer to receive
long-term care services in their own homes or in homelike environments
whenever possible.
The measure passed the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee
this week.